2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Takes 4WD to Another Level

The all-new Mitsubishi Pajero is being developed around a simple idea: it should be just as comfortable and predictable on normal roads as it is capable when the pavement ends. At the center of that approach is Mitsubishi Motors’ Super Select 4WD II system, a four-wheel drive setup designed to give drivers multiple ways to adapt the Pajero to changing road and terrain conditions.

Super Select 4WD II combines characteristics of full-time and part-time four-wheel drive systems. Rather than forcing the driver to choose between a vehicle focused primarily on everyday road use or one built around serious off-road driving, Mitsubishi has designed the system to handle both roles.

Drivers have access to 4 transfer modes. In 2H, the Pajero operates in rear-wheel drive, providing lighter and more responsive handling while also supporting improved fuel efficiency. This is the setting intended for normal driving when additional traction is not required.

Switching to 4H activates full-time four-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, the system uses a 40:60 front-to-rear torque distribution, giving the rear axle a larger share of the available drive force. A torque-sensing limited-slip differential can then adjust torque distribution depending on the road surface. This configuration is designed to provide stable performance on motorways as well as slippery roads covered with snow.

For more difficult conditions, the driver can select 4HLC. This part-time four-wheel drive setting locks the front and rear drivetrains together to provide stronger traction. It is intended for surfaces such as deep snow, loose sand and mud where maintaining forward momentum becomes more difficult.

The most serious setting is 4LLC. In this mode, the front and rear drivetrains remain locked together while low-range gearing is engaged. The lower gearing provides greater drive force at slower speeds, making it useful when the Pajero encounters steep slopes, rocky trails and other demanding off-road terrain.

Mitsubishi has also equipped the all-new Pajero with an advanced Active Limited Slip Differential system. When a wheel begins spinning on a slippery surface or loses contact with the ground, the system applies braking force to that wheel. Drive force can then be transferred to wheels with better grip.

The system continues working when the rear differential lock is engaged. In that situation, Active Limited Slip Differential helps maintain drive force at the front axle, providing traction performance that Mitsubishi says approaches what could be achieved with a front differential lock. Because the system is electronically controlled, it can preserve strong off-road performance without sacrificing smooth steering.

The Pajero’s capability is not limited to its four-wheel drive hardware. Mitsubishi has designed the vehicle with substantial ground clearance and approach and departure angles suited to a cross-country sport utility vehicle. Its body dimensions are also intended to reduce the chance of the underside contacting the ground when traveling over slopes and obstacles.

Suspension development plays another major role. The Pajero uses a newly developed high-mount double-wishbone suspension at the front and a 5-link arrangement at the rear. Generous suspension travel allows the wheels to move through a wide range of motion, helping the tires remain in contact with the ground when the terrain becomes heavily uneven.

Keeping more tires planted can make a major difference away from paved roads. It improves the vehicle’s ability to find traction while also giving the driver a more reassuring steering response over difficult surfaces.

Underneath the vehicle is a high-rigidity ladder frame. This structure is designed to support the demands of serious off-road driving while also improving stability and handling. For the new Pajero, Mitsubishi is clearly attempting to combine traditional rugged construction with more controlled behavior during everyday driving.

Hill Descent Control adds another layer of assistance. On steep downhill sections or slippery surfaces, the system automatically controls the vehicle’s speed using precise brake intervention. This allows the driver to concentrate more on steering and choosing the correct path rather than constantly managing the brakes.

A newly adopted electric brake booster helps reduce operating noise, while Hill Descent Control can also function when the Pajero is reversing. That could prove particularly useful when a driver needs to carefully back down or reposition the vehicle on difficult terrain.

Visibility is another important part of the package. The Front Underfloor View uses a forward-facing camera to show areas directly in front of the bumper and beneath the bonnet that would normally be hidden from the driver’s view.

The display can help the driver judge front wheel placement when climbing steep slopes, crossing uneven terrain or navigating around rocks and other obstacles. Front Underfloor View becomes available when the transfer system is switched into 4HLC or 4LLC, or it can be activated using the camera switch.

Taken together, these technologies show what Mitsubishi is aiming for with the all-new Pajero. Super Select 4WD II remains the centerpiece, but it works alongside Active Limited Slip Differential, long-travel suspension, substantial ground clearance, a high-rigidity ladder frame, Hill Descent Control and additional camera technology.

The result is a Pajero designed to retain the serious off-road character associated with the name while adding the stability, control and everyday usability expected from a modern sport utility vehicle. Whether the road is dry pavement, snow, sand, mud, rocks or a steep trail, Mitsubishi has engineered the new Pajero around giving the driver the tools needed to keep moving.